THE CANADIAN PRESS
MONTREAL — John (The Bull) Makdessi is one of the smallest fighters on the UFC 124 card, but the Montreal lightweight says height and weight do not indicate size of heart.
"I’m five eight, I’m not a really big 155-pounder," Makdessi says. "I walk at 170 maybe and I drop to 155, I’m a pretty small guy. And then you see guys who walk at 6-1, 6-1, drop to 155 because in their eyes it’s an advantage.
"If you ask me, I have a hard time respecting guys like that because it just shows me that they don’t have a big heart. It just shows me that they just want to fight smaller guys than them, because in their head they believe that they have the advantage."
Makdessi doesn’t name names. But Pat Audinwood, his opponent Saturday night, stands six foot.
Makdessi, 25, trains with the big boys at Montreal’s Tristar, home to UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre and home away from for stars like Kenny Florian and Miguel Torres.
While he works with other coaches, Firas Zahabi is his MMA guru.
A former kickboxer, Makdessi also trained in MMA and went through several coaches until one referred him to Tristar.
"When you start beating your coaches up, it’s time for you to change gym and evolve as a fighter and you need to find a tougher challenge," Makdessi said.
"The thing about Firas that makes his such a good coach is because he’s always evolving himself… . It’s one thing to be a coach and be on the sidelines and it’s one thing to be a coach and actually train and work with the fighters.
"He’s not only a great coach, he’s a great fighter," he added. "I always believed he would have been a great a fighter if he chose that route but he chose the coaching route."
Makdessi says the road to Tristar was difficult.
"Every time I changed gyms, I had to build my name and had to build my reputation and I had to earn the coach’s respect. Three, four years ago I came down to Tristar and took a lot of beating and had to earn my respect. Then I won a few amateur fights and I went up to Firas and Firas told me you’re ready to turn pro."
He made his pro debut in September 2008 and a string of seven straight wins drew the attention of the UFC.
His combat sports background dates almost two decades, however.
He started with taekwondo, kickboxing, and karate, and has added Muay Thai, boxing, jiu-jitsu and wrestling.
"I’ve been training since I was six years old," said Makdessi.
"That’s the thing about me that I believe gives me the advantage."
Makdessi was 22-0 in kickboxing and Muay Thai fights. Officially he had never lost, although there was one amateur kickboxing fight he lost via decision to a North American taekwondo champion, which was unsanctioned and so does not make the record.
Even so, Makdessi notes he later avenged that loss.
He opted to focus on his sport at 18, relying on part-time jobs and the support of family and friends.
"I always saved my money, I saved enough money and was able to focus on training when I turned pro. And the moment I turned pro I quit my job and just wanted to train every day."
UFC 124 Countdown Canada on Rogers Sportsnet
An MMA Connected Special, we break down the main event between two-time Sportsnet Canadian Athlete of the Year, Georges St-Pierre and UFC bad boy Josh Koscheck.
Showdown Joe Ferraro is in Montreal and joined by Joe Rogan, No. 1 contender Jake Shields, Dan (The Outlaw) Hardy and Toronto’s Claude Patrick to analyze the fights.
Plus, we have an EXCLUSIVE look at GSP’s first meal after the weight cut and find out who he keeps in his inner circle leading up to the final hours before he finally walks down to the Octagon for the biggest fight of his career.
SPORTSNET.CA blogger Jason (The Athlete) MacDonald joins host RJ Broadhead to give his thoughts on the card as well as an update on his injured leg.
And find out why UFC President Dana White thinks St-Pierre is more popular than Wayne Gretzky. You don’t want to miss the wildly entertaining and popular segment “Dana on …”
Tonight on Rogers Sportsnet, one hour before the PPV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.
